CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has expressed concern over non-compliance with its earlier directive to remove concrete paver blocks from the walking track inside Satyabrata Stadium, located within the protected Barabati Fort area.
The two-judge bench of Justice KR Mohapatra and Justice V Narasingh had, on March 26, ordered an immediate halt to the laying of paver blocks and directed authorities to restore the track to its original unpaved condition. The order came while hearing a PIL on civic issues in Cuttack where concerns were raised over the project.
“In view of the health hazards posed by these concrete blocks, especially their hard, non-shock absorbing surface that can cause joint strain, foot problems, and increase the risk of slips and falls, particularly for the elderly and children, and since the authorities chose to sacrifice citizens’ basic right to walk safely, this court directs the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to immediately stop laying paver blocks on the walking track of Satyabrata Stadium,” the bench had ordered.
During the hearing on April 9, deputy solicitor general Prasanna Kumar Parhi, representing the ASI, submitted that the March 26 order had not yet been implemented. He sought seven additional days to comply with the court’s direction. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the matter to April 23, directing that a compliance report be filed by then.
Meanwhile, appearing before the court, DB Garnayak, superintendent of ASI, Puri Circle, assured that necessary permissions or no-objection certificates (NOCs) would be granted to the Cuttack Municipal Corporation for maintenance works, including cleaning and installation of bio-toilets within the stadium premises.
The court also directed Water Corporation of Odisha to conduct a survey for providing drinking water facilities at the stadium. In the interim, the municipal corporation has been asked to arrange temporary drinking water supply. Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has been instructed to place on record a revised detailed project report relating to the overall development of Satyabrata Stadium submitted to the ASI by the next hearing date.